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Protection and Stewardship

Careful and responsible management, stewardship, and protection of the Bull Run drinking water supply are vital to maintaining water quality and public health. Protection of the streams, rivers, and forest within the watershed began in 1893 with a presidential declaration. Today, federal legislation, state law, and city code guide and strengthen protections that preserve this resource for future generations.

The Bull Run Watershed Management Unit Agreement guides cooperative management and protection of the watershed. The agreement serves as a partnership guide for the long-term stewardship of the Bull Run watershed. It describes the distinct and joint stewardship roles of the City of Portland and the USDA Forest Service as well as how the agencies will coordinate on future activities. The agreement articles nine specific areas to frame the joint stewardship effort:

Security and access control

Fire prevention and suppression

Road maintenance

Protection and restoration of public and private lands' streams to improve aquatic habitat

Protection of threatened and endangered species under the provision of the Endangered Species Act

Control of invasive weeds

Collection of water quality, water quantity, and meteorological data

Education the public through conservation education

The agreement establishes semi-annual public working group meetings. At these meetings, City and Forest Service staff reviews work plans, budgets, and staff assignments. They also communicate about accomplishments and issues that arise during the course of management activities. The meetings are held in the spring and fall of each year. An annual report is presented at the spring meeting. The final Annual Report from the spring 2014 meeting can be downloaded and viewedhere.

The public is invited to attend the Portland Water Bureau/ Mt. Hood National Forest Bull Run Working Group meetings which occur in spring and fall.

The location and date for the Fall 2015 meeting will be posted here as soon as it is available. The Bull Run Watershed Management Unit Annual Report is available here.